None of my children were afraid to spread their wings and take a chance on the big world outside our family home. It's hard as a parent to let go and watch them make mistakes, because you're used to being a safety belt and suddenly you've instead become a safety net. They may fall, but you're still there to keep them from crashing. They discover the hard way that independence isn't easy, but as you test the air every bit of turbulence you encounter increases your confidence and allows you to truly soar.

I'm excerpting some lyrics from the musical Wicked. This song is sung as a duet by Elphaba (before she becomes the Wicked Witch), and her good friend Glinda (who becomes the Good Witch).

Defying Gravity

(some intro omitted)

Something has changed within me

Something is not the same

I'm through with playing by

The rules of someone else's game

Too late for second-guessing

Too late to go back to sleep

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes

And leap...

It's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you can't pull me down

GLINDA
Can't I make you understand
You're having delusions of grandeur?

ELPHABA
I'm through accepting limits
Cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost

I'd sooner buy defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

(bridge omitted)

ELPHABA
So if you care to find me
Look to the Western sky!
As someone told me lately
Everyone deserves the chance to fly
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who ground me
Take a message back from me!

Tell them how I am defying gravity
I'm flying high, defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!!

(ending omitted)

I didn't leave out parts of the words because they aren't beautiful, but because they didn't fit the picture I'm trying to paint (to mix mediums and metaphores).

I highly recommend that you get a copy of the Wicked soundtrack and give a listen. Amazing work, and this particular song thrills me every time I hear it.

And makes me think of my kids.

Posted by: Ted at 11:41 AM | category: Waxing Lyrical
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